Sunil Chhetri becomes India's most capped international player

Talismanic striker and captain Sunil Chhetri became the most capped player (108) of the national football team when he took the field in India’s opening King’s Cup tie against Curacao at the Chang Arena in Buriram, Thailand. Earlier, he was tied with legendary footballer Bhaichung Bhutia with 107 matches each. The Secunderabad-born is also the highest goal scorer for the ‘Blue Tigers’ with a total of 68 strikes to his name. He recently led India to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, but unfortunately, India failed to get past the group stage. Chhetri made his international debut in 2005 and scored his first goal against Pakistan. Sunil Chhetri has been the poster boy of Indian football for the past decade and has been prolific with his goal-scoring abilities. He has been a real ‘fox in the box’ for the teams he has played for. Having started his senior career for Mohun Bagan back in 2002, he subsequently played for various clubs like JCT, East Bengal and Chirag United. It was in 2010 that he represented MLS outfits Kansas City Wizards and also Sporting Clube De Portugal B. He currently plays club football for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. Chhetri has been immensely successful in the domestic circuit, having won four I-League titles with three different clubs. In 2019, he inspired Bengaluru FC to their first ever Indian Super League title. The Arjuna Awardee has also made his nation proud by playing pivotal roles in India’s Nehru Cup wins in 2007, 2009 and 2012. He also has a couple of SAFF Championship titles to his name along with an AFC Challenge Cup win in which he was adjudged the player of the tournament. Although Chhetri’s is beyond his prime days, he gives the Indian team an edge over the others owing to his vast experience. All eyes will be on the five-time AIFF player of the player again when the Indian team plays in Thailand.